Dallas Cowboys: 15 Best players in team history
By Randy Gurzi
Rayfield Wright. 13. player. 123. . Offensive Tackle. (1967-1979)
It was a selection that made nearly no waves at all as the Cowboys used a seventh-round pick in 1967 on a tight end from Fort Valley State named Rayfield Wright. To begin his career in Dallas, Wright stayed at tight end as a rookie but then moved to the defensive side of the ball as he played on the D-line. Then in 1969, Dallas moved Wright to offensive tackle after veteran Ralph Neely went down with an injury.
That proved to be a stellar move for both sides as Wright excelled in his new role. His first ever start matched him up against future Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones of the Los Angeles Rams. Wright held his own and never gave up his spot as the right tackle after that.
By 1971, he developed into a Pro Bowl player — an honor he would earn the next six seasons for Big D. Known as the “Big Cat,” Wright excelled with his quickness and ended up being named to the 1970s NFL All-Decade Team. He helped Dallas make the Super Bowl five times, two of which they were able to come away victorious.
He retired following the 1979 season and was named to the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2004. Two years later, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Game.